Hi Everyone

[Metal Legs]

Hi everyone. I'm an electronics hobbyist but haven't done any audio projects recently. The last audio amp I built that wasn't just a low-power deal was about 10 years ago--it used a couple of old RCA SK3155 chips. It looked like a rat's nest. I built the thing out of a box of scraps (wasn't in a cave though), including the power supply for it, and mounted it all in a horrid looking radio trash enclosure. I think I was supposed to get about 18 watts X2 out of the thing at about 1Khz or something like that. Wasn't much but I loved the thing for some reason. Still have it too, if anyone wants to see some scary pictures of it.

Being a guitar player, I put a 'phase switch' on it to isolate guitar tracks for the purpose of learning how to play them. The switch circuit was kind of a rip off of the old "rhythm bandit" box that I had bought before that, and discovered there wasn't much to it, and I could build it myself. Trouble was, the guts were submerged in plaster--no doubt to discourage pirates like me from learning the secret. Well I had a hack saw and a dremmel tool, and plaster was no match for my determination! Turns out the circuit was laughably simple, especially considering what I paid for the thing.

A long time ago I did a 2 year Electronics course from CIE and that kind of got me interested in building my own stuff. I've built guitar effects pedals, power supplies, radio transmitters/receivers, radio "translators" (illegal), some audio amps, all kinds of stuff. Never built a tube amp though. Which is odd since I've always been picky about audio.

Anyway, I stumbled upon this site somehow, and immediately started drooling over some of the audio tube amp kits. I'm definitely going for one but I'm not sure which yet. I was eying the K-16LS though. I want to do it right this time and build something that looks great too instead of just something that works.

Well I didn't plan to ramble quite this much but what can I say? I must be in the right place!

[planet10]

Welcome to the forum, Mr legs

dave

[Cal Weldon]

Yes, you are in the right place, welcome to the forums.

[c2cthomas]

Hi Metal Legs - and Welcome to diyAudio.

A tube amp will help to keep the coffee warm during those cold winters up there in Maine! I lived in Mass. one upon a time in another life - so I know how cold it can get "up there"......

You should find the information at this link helpful - but beware - Lukasz makes things look simple and easy - but he knows his stuff and has great ideas that are very practical.

http://www.lampizator.eu/AMPLIFIERS/AMPS.html

[Metal Legs]

Thanks everyone, for making me feel welcome.

Yes, winters in Maine can be rough. This morning I had to scrape frost from the windshield for the first time this fall. It was 21 degrees F. When I got to work this morning at 7:00am!

c2cthomas, that link is great. That guy is funny too.

I've dug out my old books on tubes and amplifiers and I'm studying up. I think I'm going to start with a tube amp kit. I'm wondering where I can find a decent metal enclosure for such a project? Oh yeah, I'm supposed to search the forum first. Will do. I've been scavenging around the basement for something to recycle, without much luck.

Thanks again guys (and gals?)!